Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 7 December 2017 29 September 2014

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

p.1

This provision is outstanding

 The childminder is extremely motivated and driven to provide the highest quality care and education for children. She makes effective use of a comprehensive self-evaluation process that reflects the views of all those involved in the provision and helps her to consistently identify areas for further development.  Children thrive and are exceptionally well cared for. They show that they feel very safe and are happy with the childminder. She has developed very close attachments with children, helping to support their emotional well-being very effectively.  The childminder's home is very warm and welcoming. She has an excellent range of high-quality toys and resources, which is stored very well in the large playroom, enabling children to make choices in their play.  The childminder has developed highly successful ways to work in partnership with other professionals and other settings children attend, such as school. She shares relevant

p.1

This provision is outstanding

information about children to promote continuity as they prepare to start school.  The childminder works very closely with parents. She uses excellent systems to share information with them, and keeps them very well informed of children's daily activities and their ongoing progress. Parents are extremely happy with the care and progress their children make.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 continue to make the most of professional development opportunities to maintain and enhance the excellent practice even further.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed the areas used for childminding. She talked to the children and the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector sampled documentation, including the suitability checks and qualifications of the childminder, policies and procedures, children's development records and planning.  The inspector and the childminder evaluated the effectiveness of an activity together.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.  The inspector discussed the childminder's risk assessments and her self-evaluation process.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The childminder's practice is exceptionally well organised. She is very experienced and fully aware of the importance of consistently seeking further development and training opportunities to extend her excellent skills and knowledge even further. Safeguarding is effective. The childminder understands her role to keep children safe from harm and has extremely robust procedures to follow if she has concerns about children's welfare. She supervises children very well and carries out thorough risk assessments of her home to identify and minimise any potential hazards to children. The childminder monitors and tracks children's progress very effectively. This ensures she can rapidly highlight any gaps in development and provide children with excellent support to make outstanding progress.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder provides an extensive range of exciting experiences that children thoroughly enjoy. She follows children's ideas and interests, and plans precisely for their next steps in learning. Children are excited about the many Christmas activities planned for them. They make cards, calendars and small presents for their parents. The childminder greatly enriches children's listening, understanding and speaking skills using a variety of activities, including stories, poems and songs. She interacts superbly well with the children. The childminder sits at their level, offering lots of praise and encouragement and listening to their ideas. Children are encouraged to tell stories and to develop a keen interest in books.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children settle superbly well in the childminder's care. She is exceptionally kind and attentive to children's needs. The childminder is an excellent role model. She reminds children to use good manners and praises them for helping to tidy away the toys. This helps to boost their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder promotes children's independence and self-care skills very well. For example, they independently choose their activities from the excellent choice available. Children wash their hands before they eat and have an awareness of germs. They have a wealth of opportunities to experience fresh air and physical exercise. Children enjoy regular trips into the local community and learn about helping others. For example, they are collecting items to take to the local food bank this Christmas.

p.3

Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children are exceptionally well prepared with the skills they need for the next stage in their learning and the move to school. They develop very high levels of self-control, confidence and listening and attention skills. Children concentrate extremely well when taking part in activities. Older children understand that print carries meaning and enjoy learning about letter sounds. They have extensive opportunities for practising their mark- making skills. Children take great pride in their learning and celebrate their achievements enthusiastically.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 129200 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1118734 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 6 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

p.4

Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 29 September 2014

p.4

Telephone number

The childminder registered in 1993 and lives in Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except during bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant qualification at level 3 and provides funded early years education for three- and four-year-olds.

p.4

Telephone number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

p.4

Telephone number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.4

Telephone number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Telephone number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5